Sorry for not updating yesterday as promised. I wasn't feeling fine and just got better. This weather is definitely not suitable for me. You all should take care of yourselves.

I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter Twenty Eight

GRACE

I watch Cynthia enter into the car that came to get her and I definitely catch the exchange between her and Michael and the look on her face right before she enters into her car.

Is she already beginning to fall for him?

I know it's bound to happen sooner or later. She had a huge crush on him back in JSS2 and even though she thinks he is an asshole and a jerk from afar, it is not going to be long before she sees glimpses of the guy she had a crush on in JSS2.

Although I don't know if I currently like Michael, especially after he had just straight on attacked Peter today when he did nothing to him.

He really has issues and Cynthia wasn't wrong when she said she suspected something might be wrong between the two. From the little I had seen today, they are definitely not on good terms.

But what might have happened between them? Michael did mention something about Peter coming up with an idea that made everything complicated.

What does he mean?

"Hey."

A finger snap in my face brings me out of my reverie and I'm staring right into Femi's face as he is looking down at me with an amused smile.

My heart definitely skipped a beat. No, it did somersaults and backflips.

I can't help squealing internally and holding my hands tight to stop myself from doing something stupid like squishing his cheeks or something.

I really am going on a date with him. I'm afraid this might prove too good to be true.

"You are zoned out again." His voice cuts through my thoughts one more time. "Is that like an habit for you?"

I instantly shake my head in response, "Only when I have a lot on my mind." I answer sheepishly.

"Oh, and what's on your mind?"

You. You! You!!!

I give him only a shy smile in response and he chuckles. He brings out his phone from his pocket and places it in front of me.

"Your number please." He smiles and I immediately take the phone from him and input my digits. "Do you have your phone with you?" He asks.

"Yeah, it's in my school bag." I reply while trying to remove my bag so I can bring the phone out. One of the OST of one of my favourite kdrama starts blasting and I give him a sheepish smile.

I really hope he isn't one of those that thinks Korean movies aren't real movies? If he is, then we are about to have serious issues because I'm obsessed with them.

"You have seen the movie? It's Descendants of the sun right?" He questions, looking all animated and excited.

My mouth literally falls open before I immediately catch myself.

"Yes, it is." I reply with disbelief. "You- you watch Korean movies and dramas?"

"Heck yeah! Descendants of the sun is one of my absolute favourite. But I think Vincenzo is above the list to me. They were done by the same actor." He tells me.

I blink twice at him. Is this really happening?

"You've seen Vincenzo?" I ask, feeling almost overwhelmed. It's like I'm about to cry.

"Yes?" He replies unsurely, probably not understanding my sudden change in mood.

"And you love it?" I ask again, sniffing.

"Yes." He then looks down at me. "Are you crying?" He asks with absolute horror.

Without thinking, I pull him into a hug and I almost burst out laughing when he stiffens in my arms.

"I'm just feeling emotional." I tell him quietly and I smile when I hear his quiet chuckle.

I finally let him go but he won't stop smiling, "So Vincenzo made you emotional?" He asks again, almost teasing.

"No, just the fact that you have watched it and liked it than Descendants of the Sun. Cynthia always tells me that Descendants is better."

"Cynthia has no taste." He says in such a conclusive tone that we both just burst out laughing.

"I'm glad we have something in common." I tell him, still smiling.

"Me too." He smiles down at me too.

"Femi, sorry to interrupt you guys but we have to go for the football practice right now." Wole calls out to us. He and Peter had gone to stand next to Michael who still has his headset on his head and had his eyes closed like he is resting against the wall.

"I guess I have to go now." He says almost apologetically and I smile encouragingly at him.

"It's okay. We have each other's number now. We can talk or chat."

"Yeah, we can. Don't forget tomorrow's date." He mentions as he moves towards his friend.

Like I could ever do that.

"I won't!" I call out and watch as the four of them walk back into the school compound.

Once they are all in and I'm sure they won't be coming out soon. I just start doing my happy dance. I'm practically jumping and screaming happily and I'm so engrossed in it that I get startled real bad when a vehicle honked next to me.

I look up at the familiar white BMW and I smile a little in relief that it's just my driver.

My relief is however cut short when I enter into the car and see that the driver had gone to pick the twins first.

As soon as I enter the car, I'm greeted by the imitation of what might have been my facial expression while I was jumping and the tiny leap on the car's chair to copy that from both of that.

"Cut it out." I utter drily to them but I might as well be speaking to walls as they both continue leaping in the car.

These devil incarnates.

The driver is already driving and since our house isn't really far from school, I guess I will just rely on the memories from speaking with Femi to get me through sitting with the boys.

I'm really just starting to get into it, remembering how I had hugged him, patting myself for being so bold and trying hard not to giggle when I open my eyes and see a face staring right at me.

"God!" I jump inside the car and both of them burst into laughter.

"What's wrong with the both of you?" I ask, more irritated than annoyed.

Getting annoyed at them is only a waste of time. You're only going to end up with a big headache and about five years removed from your lifespan.

The only one that can keep them in check is dad and mum when she is in 'para' mode which is becoming more often nowadays.

"What were you thinking about?" Kenny asks.

Out of the twins, Kenny is still my favourite. He is also very troublesome and of course Taiwo's partner in crime but he is still also the one that has a bit of empathy between the two.

You see that Taiwo, he is the devil himself.

"I'm going on a date tomorrow." I reply excitedly and I'm greeted by a roll of my eyes from Kenny followed by a sudden intrusive hand towards him.

I glance at Taiwo and see him putting his hand towards Kenny, "My five hundred naira." He announces with a very happy smile.

Kenny doesn't look too happy, "When we get home joh." He says to him and Taiwo goes back to pressing his phone. He then turns to look at me with a malicious look.

What the-

"What did I do now?"

"Why can't you wait until Thursday or Friday before you go on your date? Now, I have to give him five hundred naira because of you." He tells me sulkily and I can only stare at him dumbfounded.

"Did the both of you bet on me?"

"Yes. On how soon you are going on your next date." Taiwo answers nonchalantly, his eyes still on his phone.

"I'm telling Mummy." I tell them with annoyance and all I receive is a shrug from Taiwo and a glare from Kenny.

The hell?!

The older they get, the more notorious they become. They are just twelve years old and they are already making bets on me.

"We are here." Solo, the driver announces and I look around to see that we are indeed in the compound.

"I'm telling Mummy." I repeat to them as I get down from the car but none of them is even listening to me. "Thank you, Solo." I add before heading off and I immediately here one of the twins start to sing Solo Makinde. Probably Taiwo as Kenny is still in a bad mood.

I enter into the house and I'm surprised to find Mum in the living room watching zee world. Normally, she will still be in her boutique and doesn't return until around 7 or 8pm but here she is.

"Welcome dear." She greets me as soon as she notices me.

"Good evening Mum." I respond and start to approach her when Taiwo and Kenny enters into the sitting room. Kenny heads straight into his room, I'm not sure he even noticed that Mum is around and Taiwo goes into the kitchen.

The fact that both of them didn't race each other into the kitchen to see what was cooked and to see who will get the biggest share must mean Kenny is really annoyed that he lost five hundred naira to Taiwo. And I'm pretty sure he is annoyed because he lost and not because of the money.

Na them sabi.

"What's up with the two of them?" Mum asks, settling well into her chair.

"Kenny lost a bet to Taiwo and has to give him five hundred naira." I explain to her and guess what I get in response.

"Oh."

"Oh? Just oh? Your children are making bets and you are just saying oh?"

She looks up at me like a screw might have getting loose in my head.

"It's not the first time they are making a bet, why are you so surprised?"

"So because it's not the first time, you won't scold them or anything? They are betting five hundred naira now, what will you do when they start betting five hundred thousand naira?"

My mum bursts out laughing at that and I fail to also keep my own laughter in check.

I probably exaggerated that a lot.

"Aunty Grace, calm down. This one you are annoyed because of their bet, it almost seems like the bet was made on you."

"Exactly, mum. How can they make a bet on my dating life?"

"Mum, don't lie o. Didn't you also mention that Grace hasn't been on a date in a while and you are wondering if she has changed her ways?" That came from Taiwo and he is now with a plate of jollof rice and settling himself on one of the chairs in the living room.

"What did I tell you about eating in the living room?" Mum asks instead and he scowls, obviously not wanting to the sitting room.

"Mummy, I'm already eating na. It's not good to move around while eating." He whines and quickly puts a spoon of rice in his rice.

"Mum, just leave him. He's not worth it." I say, interrupting whatever it is she's about to say and she turns to glare at me instead. I quickly rush towards her and go to sit next to her, grabbing unto her arm and giving her a patronising smile.

I might as well ask for permission for the date now. She is not going to stop me anyway, just probably tell me to be careful.

"Mum, I'm going on a date tomorrow." I tell her and she glances down at me with what looks like an unsurprised expression.

"I was wondering how long there was going to be a break in transmission." She replies sardonically. "Boyfriend number what is this now?"

"We aren't dating yet." I can't help my excitement as I speak and she raises an eyebrow in question.

"You must really like him, seeing how enthusiastic you are." She comments and I nod my agreement.

"You have no idea, Mum. He's one of the most popular guys in school and he even watches Korean movies." I yap excitedly.

"I already made up my mind that I won't allow you go on a date anymore but seeing how happy you are, it will be wrong to stop you. You're free to go." She announces and I practically scream in happiness.

"How popular is he?" Taiwo asks.

"It's none of your business. Eat your food." I tell him in a dismissive tone and turn to mum. "Mum, I'm going upstairs."

"Alright dear." She replies automatically. Her mind is already on King of Hearts or whatever nonsense show is on TV. That Zeeworld sef, I hope it crashes. All of them on that channel annoys me.

I hurry into my room to check if there's a message from Femi but there is none. I guess they are still practicing for football. I freshened up and change clothes and before going downstairs, checked to see again if he had called.

I saw a missed call but it is not from him. It's from TJ, one of my exes. Why is he suddenly calling?

Counting it as unimportant because that's what it is. I plug in my phone and head downstairs to have a late lunch.

Mummy starts to tell me about how sales in shop had gone today and how one of her customers had tried to steal a gown worth of ten thousand naira because she refused to buy it at that price but at eight thousand instead.

"Wow. So what did you do? Hope it didn't get escalated?" I ask, concerned about what might have happened to her if she was found out by passer-bys.

"No. You know I wouldn't allow that. She could get burnt to death with how Nigerians are quick to carry out jungle justice."

"Exactly. Thank God it all happened inside the shop and not outside. What was her reaction when she was caught?"

"She pleaded saying she had put the eight thousand she had intended to pay for the gown where she had picked it and the reason she was just so intent on taking it was because she really, really likes the style."

"Wow. You mean she already left the money for the gown there? Was she saying the truth?"

"Turns out she was in fact saying the truth. I went there myself to check if it was there and it was. I didn't send those helpers because they could lie that it wasn't there after pocketing the money.'.

"Oh Mum, you are so clever. I'm so much like you." I grin.

She bursts out laughing. "Yeah, right. Anyways, I allowed her to go with the gown, after all the efforts she had put in."

I snuggle close to her, "Awwn Mum, you are also so nice. You will always be my role model."

She pulls me closer and kisses me on the head, "I'm glad to be."

A sudden car honk from outside the gate causes me to pull away from her while giving her a questioning look. "Mum, are we expecting someone?"

"Oh, I probably forgot to mention it. Your dad is coming back today. He is probably the one."

I stand up shocked and almost scream, "Mum, why didn't you tell me? You know how he is?!"

Before she can say anything, I hurry upstairs and close the door to my room just as I hear the gates to the compound open.

Why?! Why did he come when I have a date tomorrow? He could have come on Wednesday. There's no way I can go to the date now.

I almost start crying in frustration.

I really, really wanted to go on this date.

God, please. Please, help me find a way to go on this date.

I hear the chorus of 'Dad, welcome' from the twins to our Dad and I suddenly feel weak. My hand instinctively reaches out to touch thee fading scars on my back from the belt lashes I had gotten after he had found a love message written to me by a boy.

My offense was having the boy's number saved on my phone.

I rush towards my phone and begin to go through everything. I delete messages that can be incriminating, clear some WhatsApp and Facebook messages. Clear my DMs on Instagram too. Delete some numbers and the male numbers that can't be deleted had to be saved with a female's name.

That's why Femi's name went from being 'Femi ♥️💗💓' in my contact to 'Sis. Funmi usher two'.

Knowing how he is going to ask me to remove all passwords on my phone so he can take his time going through my phone, this is the most I can do. Hopefully, he doesn't see anything that might get me in trouble.

I'm just starting to calm down a little when I realise something.

How could I forget? Femi can contact me any minute because he promised to call me as soon as he is free. If his call or message enters while the phone is in Dad's hands, I will be in deep shit.

I quickly send him a message that my phone is faulty and he might not be able to reach me throughout today as I'm about to go and repair it at the engineers. I promise to contact him as soon as I get my phone tomorrow.

I send the message and quickly delete it before blocking his number so he doesn't end up calling.

"Grace! Won't you come down to greet your dad?!" I hear mum call from the sitting room.

I will have to go down sooner or later, maybe if Dad doesn't see me with my phone, he will forget all about asking about it.

I plug in my phone again and rush downstairs to see him already balanced on the sofa. Kenny is removing his shoes while Taiwo is coming in with a glass of cold water for him.

"Welcome back, sir." I greet him and he nods, acknowledging my greeting before collecting the glass of water from Taiwo. After drinking everything, he smiles at me.

"How are you? And how is studies?"

"Everything is fine sir." I answer, while standing sheepishly in front of him.

He brings out his iPad and seems to be busy with it so I decide to use that opportunity to run off. Thankfully, he didn't ask for my phone.

Unfortunately I thought too soon.

"Don't forget to bring your phone when you are coming back downstairs. And remove all passwords." He mentions just as I get to the bottom of the stairs. I freeze at the stairs at his words and clench my hands into fists, feeling very furious but I can only nod in response.

I run back into my room, feeling the strange urge to just drop the phone in the toilet so he won't be able to go through my messages but I know I will only get into huge trouble for that as he is never going to believe it fell in the toilet by mistake and he will conclude that I had something to hide and that's why I had dropped it in the toilet.

I slump on my bed, suddenly drained and exhausted.

Is this really how all fathers care for their child? Or is it the female children? Because I know for sure that he won't do the same for the twins once they are my age.

But if this is how fathers care for their female children, I sure as hell won't let my daughter go through this. Of course, I won't leave her to do everything she wishes by giving her lots of freedom but instead of suffocating her like I'm currently feeling, I will rather guide her and advise her, hoping that she follows them.

A knock on my door brings me back to my room and I grumble out a 'come in'. Kenny walks into the room with a smile on his face.

He comes to sit next to me on the bed and I only look at him from my laid down position not bothering to sit up.

"I know you don't like Dad." He starts.

I roll my eyes at his statement because that's an understatement. My feelings towards dad right now are bordering towards pure hatred and trying to keep respecting him.

"Do you think he checks your phone because he knows that you have lots of boyfriend?" He asks.

"He started checking my phone as soon as he got one for me and that was back in JSS1." I reply flatly.

"Wow." That's his only response for a while before he speaks again. "But if he has been checking your phone since that time, why do you still end up having so many boyfriends?"

I say nothing to reply his question as I think over it but in the end, I can't really come up with an answer.

I let out a huge sigh and just shrug, "I don't know."

He gives me an unsure look and he looks like he has a lot to say but he is holding back.

"Mum will be serving dinner early because of Dad. You will have to come down with your phone soon." He reminds me.

"Yeah, I know." I answer resignedly.

"Maybe we can play a game to help you get your mind off your phone. I can always convince Taiwo. What would you like do?"

Nothing.

But I don't say that because I know just how much of an effort he is putting to make me feel better. He is the one with empathy after all. I'm sure Taiwo wouldn't mind helping him too.

I suddenly remember the fact that I will be trying out for my long jump tomorrow and I have almost zero experience with it.

"Do you still have that long jump practice thing you and Taiwo set up because you suddenly got interested in Long jump?"

"It's been a while but it should be there. Why?"

"I'm trying out for our school long jump tomorrow. Would you guys help me practice?

"Of course. Since you are finally participating in your school sports." He responds almost with excitement and I end up rolling my eyes again.

"Grace, Kenny, come downstairs for dinner now." Mummy calls and I groan, knowing it's inevitable that I go downstairs. I sit up to pick my phone and unplug it from where I'm charging it and proceed to remove all the passwords.

With a sigh, I stand from the bed and glance down at Kenny who also stands.

"It is time." He announces dramatically and despite the situation, I chuckle.

He leaves the room first and I follow slowly behind him.

It is indeed time. Hopefully, I have deleted everything that can make him annoyed.

I don't want to go to bed with new sets of belt lashes.

**"

Not really feeling like writing a long Author's note but I hope this chapter gave you a bit insight into Grace's life at home.

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I will update as soon as I can.

Until next time.